Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rebarreling to 7-08

I am going to rebarrel a Sako 579 to 7-08. Who makes the best bbl for the money. Who does the best work and what twist should I use to stabilize 150 gr+ bullets? Thanks for input.

I feel a Stickian response coming . . . . . . . . . . . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BMT

Cowboy,

There is no such thing as a "best" barrel. For most every one of the well know makers can make great barrels. Occaisionally they all turn out a "turd".

You would do far bettr to first decide whether you want "cut" or "button" rifling and then go from there.

Personally, I have had Hart, Shilen, Douglas, and Kreiger. If I were to do another, I'd look at Krieger 1st, Lilja 2nd, and Pac-Nor 3rd. I don't believe, Shilen and Douglas are in the same league, but that is just my opinion, FWIW. I'm sure that you can find others who disagree with me.

I have also had McGowan barrels. They are probably the cheapest of the lot. I have never seen a bad one. That doesn't mean they don't exist. The cheapest barrels out there are factory take-offs. And I have seen a number of them that were tack-drivers.

As far as twist goes. In my experience, 1~10 will not stabalize anything heavier than 140 gr. 1~9 does well with most weights. Myself, I would choose 1~8 or 1~8 1/2. But then I am a fan of heavy for caliber bullets.

You must make your own choices. I am but offering the benefit of my experience. FWIW...the9.3Guy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You're in Texas, so use Shilen. They are as good as any and are near by. Otherwise, use any of the well known makers and you won't go wrong.

Now, about those bullets you're planning to use. Why so heavy? Are you building this for 400+ yard shooting? I twisted my last 7-08 at 1-10inches because I'll shoot very few 150's and nothing heavier. When I have my heavy 7-08 built, it will have a 1-9 inch twist for the 150-160s. It will be built with 600yd shooting in mind.

for hunting...a 1~9 and 140 grain x bullets cant be beat. Made too many 400yd shots at large whitetails with that combo to know it works. Minimum recoil...maximim dead. All pass thrus all dropped in their tracks. I would not hesitate to use that combo for elk either. As for the distance...let your conscience be your guide. I shoot a lot. At a lot of distances. When that 400 yard shot presents itself...I KNOW i can ethically take and make the shot. But that combo of caliber, twist rate and bullet will do the trick. That much i can tell u. The rest is up to you. My 7-08 had a Douglas barrel on it. And it was a tackdriver. I now have a 280AI that sports a hart tube. It too is a tackdriver. My next rifle will be a 25-284. It will sport a LW tube. There are lots of good barrels out there. And even the best may let a bad one slip thru every now and then. But thats a chance u take. Good luck.

OK.... So far here is what I think after input. What the H.. is a Stickian response??. I have a few rifles but this is my first attempt to put something together. I do not think the current stuff in my price range has the attention to detail that I like.
Twist to be 1 in 9. I do not reload so 150 gr factory will probably be heaviest I shoot. I like the velocity of the Hornady Light Magnums but I can not get them to shoot well in any rifle I have, 280, 308, or 7mm Mauser. Maker TBD . Which is most desireable cut or button rifling. I wanted a medium weight bbl because I have all of a sudden found short light bbls seem to move around on me. Getting older I suppose. I have heard cut but that it is more expensive and most of my shooting will be 250 yds or less. Hogs and Whitetails. Thanx

I don't know who makes the best barrel , but I have a reington take off in 7-08 from a 700 TI of mine that is up for grabs 50 bucks and its yours.

Thanx. I'll keep it in mind. Do not have the rifle yet. Will threads fit Sako action. Is this a new bbl?

The Remington takeoff barrel won't work, since the threads are the same pitch as a model 70. A Stickion response is a response from a fellow 7mm08 slut that resides in Paradise Alaska. He duth know his [bleep].

A 1 in 9 twist will handle all bullet weights from 120-175 without any trouble at all. That is the twist I have had on all 7mm's and I find it perfect.

I like cut rifled barrels better than pull buttoned, but that is kinda like Ford vs. Chevy. Both win matches...period. I attended a bench rest match two weeks ago as a spectator and Kreiger barrels dominated the match and took top honors. Shilen seems to be producing a number of "turds" lately, as does Pac-Nor. Lothars seem to be a good barrel, but MANY rifle builders won't use them due to them being exceptionally hard on tooling. Mike Rock barrels are very good and are single point cut rifled barrels (Rock Creek Barrels). As for rifle smiths, there are a lot of good ones. Half the fun of building a stick is doing the research and learning from the people in "the know". Flinch

Flinch, I looked at a Weatherby 7-08 that had a fluted Kreiger bbl. The Sako has a pencil bbl. I would like something a bit heavier. My gunsmith recommeded a 4 or 5 contour. Will have to enlarge the bbl channel. He also said Douglas premium bbls were as good as any and not so pricey. I know he uses Douglas a lot and has good luck with them. Thanx for the info on threads. Knew I was not going to get out on the cheap.